Skip to the content

News with Galleries & Videos

Speaker Faiq: We ask Kurdistan Bar Association to use your talents in service of society

The Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament Dr. Rewas Faiq on 31 October at the Sixth Conference of the Kurdistan Bar Association called on lawyers to support Kurdistan Parliament’s legislative work and help identify deficiencies in the laws. She also warned of recent attempts in Iraq to undermine the constitutional powers of Kurdistan’s institutions.

Parliament passes Law on Ownership of Illegally Used Land in Kurdistan Region’s Municipalities

MPs on 30 October voted in a law gthat allows people who illegally used or built on land in Kurdistan Region's municipalities to buy the land from the government and register it in their names. 100 MPs voted in favour of the bill as a whole, out of 111 members. At the sitting two other bills had their first readings, and Speaker Rewas Faiq asked the relevant committees to work on them: a bill on patients’ rights and responsibilities; and a bill on commercial advertising.

MPs debate bill on ownership of illegally used land in municipalities, have first readings of six other bills

At a Parliament sitting on 23 October chaired by Speaker Dr. Rewas Faiq, MPs debated at length the articles of a bill (draft law) on ownership of lands that have been illegally used or taken in the municipalities of the Kurdistan Region. The purpose of the bill is to allow people who have illegally used and/or built on land in municipalities to buy it from the government and officially register it in their names, within a deadline. Six other bills had their first readings.

Kurdistan Parliament MPs vote in 12 recommendations on the situation in Rojava, Western Kurdistan

The Kurdistan Parliament on 15 October held a sitting to call for an immediate halt to the military attacks on Rojava, Western Kurdistan. The head of each parliamentary block asked that the military attacks stop immediately and all were deeply concerned for civilians, the humanitarian situation, the threat to security and stability, and the revival of ISIS and other terrorist groups. Speaker Dr. Rewas Faiq read the 12 recommendations agreed by the parliamentary blocks, which were passed by an overwhelming majority of MPs, 96 out of 97 present. 

Kurdistan Parliament delegation in Seoul visit departments of Korea National Assembly

A Kurdistan Parliament delegation led by Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami on 2nd October in Seoul visited several departments and areas of the Korean National Assembly, to understand how the Kurdistan Parliament can learn from the Korean legislature’s experiences and working methods.

Kurdistan Parliament delegation in Seoul meets with Korea National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang

A Kurdistan Parliament delegation led by Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami on 2 October in Seoul met with Korea National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang and Korean MPs. The heads of the KDP and PUK blocks Mr. Omed Khoshnaw (KDP) and Mr. Jamal Haruty (PUK) were also at the meeting. The Kurdistan Parliament MPs are in Seoul to forge closer inter-parliamentary ties with the Korean National Assembly, and to learn from its legislative & oversight work.

Parliament Speaker Dr. Rewas Faiq meets families of Peshmerga soldiers captured by ISIS

Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr. Rewaz Faiq on 1 October met with families of Peshmerga soldiers who were captured and likely imprisoned by ISIS during the war against the terrorist organisation. Speaker Faiq said that the Kurdistan Parliament does its utmost to help families of the captured Peshmerga - the freedom we enjoy in Kurdistan is thanks to the Peshmerga force's loyalty and service to their country. The Speaker said, “We follow up on all cases of prisoners and do our best to obtain their freedom.”

Kurdistan Parliament delegation arrives in Seoul, received by Members of Korean National Assembly

Deputy Speaker Hemin Hawrami, the head of the KDP block Omed Khoshnaw and of the PUK block Jamal Haruty on 1 October arrived in Seoul, capital of the Republic of Korea. The delegation was welcomed by Members of Korea’s National Assembly. The Kurdistan Parliament delegation and the Korean MPs discussed ways of strengthening relations between their legislatures. 

MPs vote in amendments to Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure

Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr Rewas Faiq on 29 September chaired the sitting at which MPs voted on first amendments to Parliament’s Internal Rules of Procedure. Some of the key changes that MPs approved by majority votes were to increase the number of standing committees from 15 to 19, so that MPs can be more focused in their committee work and aims. Women’s rights will now have a dedicated committee. Another major change was to allow MPs to keep their parliamentary seat in the event that they leave their party. MPs also voted in favour of stipulating that at least one member of Parliament's Presidency Board must be a woman.

Summary of committees' recent meetings – 30 September 2019

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Begard Talabani explained to the agriculture committee the ministry's plans to reorganise and unify Kurdistan's fruit markets and improve marketing of farmers' products. Minister Talabani suggested draft legislation to help the sector. MPs from the energy and finance committees went to Baghdad to meet with the Iraqi Council of Representatives' Petroleum and Energy Committee.